That’s a terrific question, but not one that can be answered in a single sentence. There are honestly a lot of factors that add up to making the Honda Civic a solid choice for a new driver. Whether you’re already looking for a used Honda Civic for sale or you’re exploring possible options, it’s worth taking a little time to consider what the Civic brings to the road that’s different from other vehicles. There are quite a few used sedans available to choose from these days (though not as many as there used to be), so it is important to pick the right one. Ultimately, the best choice for you comes down to what you’re looking for in a car, but there’s no denying that a used Honda Civic can check many of those boxes.
A Fantastic Starting Price
Let’s start with what most of us think of first when we’re shopping for a used vehicle: the price tag. In general, all else being equal, one of the biggest factors in how much a used car costs is how much it cost when new. There are many other factors when it comes to pricing a used car (its condition, of course, as well as the features it has, the reputation a make/model has for reliability, etc.), but much of that simply impacts its value from when it was sold as new. Unless something has gone horribly wrong, a vehicle that sold for $50,000 new will typically cost more used than one that was originally priced at $25,000.
Year after year, new Honda Civics sell for a very reasonable price tag, which means they’re typically quite accessible when sold used. Looking back, the 2020 Civic Sedan had a price of about $20,600 MSRP. The 2022 model launched a new generation for the Civic, and the starting price went up to just over $22,000, which is where it remained. If you’re looking at a 2019 Civic that was originally priced at about $20,000 and now has five or six years of use, then you should expect a very reasonable price tag on it. I should note that the Civic is well known for long-term reliability, and it retains its value better than a lot of other vehicles. It might not have depreciated as much as something like a BMW or Audi, but its price should still be lower since it started at such a reasonable place when sold as new.
All of this is to say that the low price makes a used Civic a great choice for a new driver. Even a safe driver can make mistakes and end up driving onto a curb or backing into a concrete pillar in a parking lot. There’s no reason to drop $30,000 or $40,000 on a first car for someone still getting comfortable on the road. Stick to an affordable, reliable vehicle, which is precisely what the Civic is.
Performance Options and Fuel Efficiency
Just because you’re looking to save money on a car doesn’t mean you should have a bad time on the road. The Honda Civic has always been known for being an incredibly efficient car that is also fun to drive. In fact, when it was first released in the early 1970s, it immediately won over American drivers dealing with the oil crisis and rising gas prices at the time due to how economical it was. This is a tradition that remains intact and the Civic continues to offer impressive fuel economy.
Looking back at the last half-decade, we can see models with engines that are sporty and also remarkably efficient. The 2020 Civic Sedan, for example, features a standard 2.0L I-4 engine with an estimated 30 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway. There’s also an available 174-hp 1.5L turbocharged engine with an estimated 32 MPG in the city and 42 MPG on the highway, delivering impressive power and great gas mileage. If you check out a Civic Si or Type R model, then gas mileage will take a back seat to enhanced performance, but having these kinds of options makes shopping for a used car much more fun.
Owning a first car is often more expensive than people realize. A new driver might suddenly have a car payment, car insurance, and ongoing maintenance and service costs to consider. On top of all that, gas prices can add a lot to the expense of owning a first car. Choosing a model like the Honda Civic that is incredibly efficient helps offset this cost and makes a new driver’s life a lot easier.
Long-Term Reliability
I can’t overstress the importance of choosing a vehicle that’s well known for reliability and dependability, particularly when considering different used options. There’s nothing you can do to guarantee a pre-owned vehicle will perform without any issues for many years ahead. Even new cars can have unexpected problems. Similarly, you can never really know everything a previous owner did with a vehicle, no matter how much research you do. That’s why it’s so important you choose a make/model that’s well known for dependability. Even if a previous owner wasn’t as good to their car as they should’ve been, it should still serve you well.
Year after year, the Honda Civic ranks highly on best-of lists for dependability and long-term reliability. For example, Edmunds gives the 2019 Civic a 4.5 out of 5 rating for reliability, while JD Power ranked the Civic in second place for Best Compact Car of 2021, just behind the Nissan Sentra. Looking at the 2023 model, it climbed to the top spot in JD Power’s rankings for Best Compact Car and similarly placed on Car and Driver’s 10Best list for 2023. These kinds of awards and rankings can be seen year after year for the Civic, so you can shop for a used model with confidence that you’ll get something designed to be enjoyed for a long time.
Great Safety Features
Whether you’re looking for a first car for yourself or you want something for a new driver, nothing is more important than how well it can help protect you on the road. Fortunately, Honda understands this, and they make vehicles that are highly rated for their safety and advanced safety features. The Civic is the perfect example of this.
Year after year, the Honda Civic receives high marks for how well it handles and performs to protect you and your passengers. For example, the 2019 Honda Civic Sedan received a five-star Overall Safety Rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), with similar ratings on most model years you can check. That also happens to be the year that the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance features became standard on every model rather than offered as an available option. This package includes a Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, and more. If you’re interested in a model prior to 2019, check to see if it has this tech, but any Civic from 2019 or later will have it included, no matter which trim level you find.
Is a Used Honda Civic Right for You?
At this point, it should be pretty clear what a used Honda Civic has going for it: a great price, impressive performance and fuel efficiency, award-winning reliability, and terrific safety features. The only question now is whether it’s right for you. If you’re looking for a compact car and are interested in a sedan or hatchback, you can likely find a used Civic that will perfectly meet your needs. If performance is particularly important to you, then look for a Civic Si or Type R model to get the most impressive power available. If you’re looking for something larger but like what Honda brings to the road, check out a used Accord or an SUV like the CR-V or HR-V to get efficiency, reliability, and great value in a bigger package.
